Works Manager / Contracts Manager (AWDO-P15231) in Polegate)

AWD online; Polegate; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

AWD online is recruiting for a Works Manager / Contracts Manager in Polegate to lead arboriculture and vegetation-management across highways sites. You will coordinate teams, plant and resources to deliver safe, compliant operations with clear plans and robust site controls.

You will work closely with clients and contractors, overseeing scoping, RAMS, risk controls and programme delivery while maintaining high standards and practical problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Prev. works/contracts/operations management or similar leadership role
• Strong knowledge of arboriculture, tree surgery, vegetation-management operations
• Experience delivering works in highways or safety-critical environments
• Deep understanding of RAMS, safety & site compliance
• Experience managing field-based teams, rotas, resources, plant & equipment
• Ability to inspect sites and scope works accurately
• Excellent planning and problem-solving abilities
• Confident client/contractor communication
• Commercial awareness on contract and cost control
• Proficiency with digital operational systems
• Calm, practical and solutions-focused approach
• Hold a full UK driving licence

Responsibilities

• Oversee arboriculture, de-vegetation and vegetation-management works, visit sites and scope accurately
• Prepare and monitor RAMS and method statements with authorised controls
• Coordinate labour, plant, vehicles and equipment across multiple live projects
• Maintain rotas and coverage including holidays and sickness
• Conduct audits for health, safety, environment, quality and site requirements
• Lead and support frontline teams with clear communication and planning
• Assist recruitment and onboarding and address skills gaps
• Monitor programme, budgets and client requirements, taking corrective action
• Liaise professionally with clients, contractors and road users
• Support procurement of materials and services via Procore
• Review and approve timesheets in a timely manner

Skills

Planning & organisation

Problem-solving

Communication

Driving licence

Digital systems

Commercial awareness

Team leadership

RAMS & safety

Education

Arboriculture/forestry qualification

NPTC/LANTRA certification

CSCS or equivalent

Tools

Procore

Job description

Works Manager / Contracts Manager - Arboriculture & Vegetation Management

Lead arboriculture and vegetation-management works across highways sites, coordinating people, plant and resources to deliver safe, compliant and efficient operations. A strong fit for an experienced operational leader from vegetation management, tree surgery or site clearance.

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you: Operations Manager, Contract Supervisor, Site Manager, Project Manager, Vegetation Manager, Arboriculture Manager, Grounds Maintenance Contracts Manager, Operations Supervisor

SALARY: £40,000 to £50,000 per annum (depending on experience)

LOCATION: Polegate, East Sussex

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent

JOB OVERVIEW

This is an opportunity to take ownership of varied, essential works across a fast-paced operational environment. The Works Manager / Contracts Manager will coordinate safe, compliant and efficient delivery across multiple sites while supporting teams with clear plans, resources and direction.

Working closely with clients, contractors and internal teams, the Works Manager / Contracts Manager will help keep programmes on track, costs controlled and standards high.

Regular site involvement gives the Works Manager / Contracts Manager a direct role in scoping works, resolving operational issues and maintaining professional service.

DUTIES

• Site Delivery and Scoping: Oversee arboriculture, de-vegetation and vegetation-management works, visit sites, assess conditions and produce accurate scopes
• RAMS and Compliance: Prepare, review and monitor risk assessments and method statements, ensuring authorised controls are implemented
• Resource Planning: Coordinate labour, plant, vehicles and specialist equipment across multiple live projects
• Rotas and Coverage: Maintain operational rotas, managing holidays, sickness and unforeseen changes, including day, night and highway-closure works where required
• Audits and Inspections: Check health and safety, environmental compliance, quality, site requirements and safe systems of work
• Team Leadership: Direct and support frontline employees through clear communication, appraisals, absence management and workforce planning
• Recruitment and Training: Support recruitment and onboarding, identify skills gaps and coordinate operational training with relevant internal teams
• Contract Performance: Monitor programme, budget and client requirements, taking corrective action when operational issues arise
• Stakeholder Liaison: Work professionally with clients, principal contractors, traffic-management providers, road users and the public
• Plant and Fleet Compliance: Support the maintenance and compliance of vehicles, plant, machinery and equipment
• Procurement and Systems: Procure materials, tools and services and raise accurate purchase orders through Procore
• Timesheet Control: Review and approve employee timesheets accurately and on time

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

ESSENTIAL

• Previous experience in works, contracts or operations management, supervision or a similar operational leadership role
• Strong practical knowledge of arboriculture, tree surgery, site clearance or vegetation-management operations
• Experience delivering works within highways or another safety-critical environment
• Thorough understanding of health and safety, environmental responsibilities, RAMS and site compliance
• Experience managing field-based teams, rotas, resources, plant and equipment
• Ability to inspect sites and scope works accurately
• Strong planning, organisation and problem-solving skills
• Confident communication with clients, contractors, operational teams and members of the public
• Good commercial awareness with an understanding of contract and cost control
• Competence using digital operational systems
• Calm, practical and solutions-focused approach
• Full UK driving licence

DESIRABLE

• Relevant arboriculture, forestry or land-based qualification
• National Highways Passport or previous National Highways contract experience
• NPTC, LANTRA or equivalent industry certification
• SMSTS, SSSTS, IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent safety qualification
• CSCS or another appropriate competence card
• Experience coordinating traffic management and working within highway closures
• Knowledge of ecological constraints affecting vegetation-clearance works
• First Aid at Work or Forestry First Aid
• Procore experience

JOB REF: AWDO-P15231